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Blog Entries: 1 to 10 of 12
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December 2024
 From an early age, before I knew what a genealogist was, I was fascinated with the old photographs and stories that my mother, father, and grandparents shared with me. As time progressed, I began to investigate the history and stories about the individuals in these priceless artifacts. To augment my research into these treasures, I purchased three books: Unlocking the Secrets in Old Photographs, by Karen Frisch-Ripley, Uncovering Your Ancestry Through Family Photographs, by Maureen A. Taylor, and Dressed for the Photographer – Ordinary Americans & Fashion, 1840-1900, by Joan Severa. Then I took Sara Cochran’s introductory course on preserving my family photographs. It was a game changer!
As the archivist of her family history, Sara has extensively researched the history of photography to date, label, organize, and preserve the vast collection of her photographic heritage. Sara explained that by knowing the progression of photographic milestones from glass plates to tintypes to film, we can narrow down the date when a particular image was taken. Using clues found on cabinet cards coupled with a knowledge of clothing styles, we can further narrow our focus to discover where and when the photograph was taken. The next step is to identify the person or persons in the photo. This is where our knowledge of genealogical research comes into play.
One of Sara’s statements about finding images in unlikely places struck a chord with me. While searching for a photograph for my brother’s retirement celebration, I stumbled upon a treasure trove of old photos, including tintypes, cabinet cards, and early black and white images in a Christmas-red May Company box. My paternal grandmother had collected them for me, but the box was stored at my parent’s home while I moved from apartment living to married life. The unopened box followed Owen and I when we moved into our current Whittier home in the late 1980s. Grandma’s box contained photos of three branches of her family – the Glovers, Labermans, and Doergeses. It was genealogical gold!
After sorting and identifying our photographs, our next step depends upon how we want to preserve, organize, or share our findings. There are as many ways as possible to do these steps are there are branches on our family trees. Some choices include photo albums, scrapbooks, digital photo books, family newsletters, family Facebook postings, regional history center collections, and attaching identified photos to online ancestry accounts. The important thing to remember is that the more we share our research, the more we are preserving these artifacts for posterity.
Sara’s presentation about the history of photography, how to organize and digitize our collections, and how to preserve and create a family history heirloom is especially important today because of the preponderance of smartphone photography. Will the metadata imbedded in these images be readable or recordable in the future? Will future descendants know who the people are in these electronic photographs? How many of us print or attach these photos to family history files, or upload them into our genealogy software? Thoughts to ponder as we work to preserve both the past and present for future generations.
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November 2024
Every genealogist knows that hidden within the vast wealth of genealogical sources are clues just waiting to be discovered. Sunny Morton’s presentation is about one of the sources we tend to overlook. It is not as obvious as the items on our usual check list – census, immigration, birth, marriage, death, military, and tax records – but it can lead to new discoveries about our ancestors. What is this source you ask? The answer is U. S. Church Records!
Sunny opened her talk with the rhetorical question, “Why Church Records?” The simplest answer is because we may eventually need them to fill in some important blanks in our family history, such as birthplace, original spelling of names, migration patterns. Church records can also act as substitutes for missing civil records. Archival registers and sacramental records can hold clues to birthplace, birth, marriage, death and burial locations. Letters of transfer from one church to another can illustrate migration patterns giving insight as to where other resources may be found.
Burial and remembrance cards can help in locating a church record. Obituaries in newspapers often list the officiant, church or chapel, and cemetery which can direct your search into new directions. Marriage records can also be enlightening as to family origins. Take the case of my maternal second great-grandfather, Dennis Weed, and his wife, Rhoda Henrietta Sisson, who married in the Protestant Dutch Reform Church of Leeds, in Greene County, New York in 1839. I was curious as to why they were married in this denomination. Looking back one more generation I discovered that Dennis’s mother, Catherine Chrisler/Kreussler was the descendant of Dutch settlers of New Amsterdam which opened an entire new line of research to me.
Knowing your ancestor’s ethnicity can be a vital clue as to where to look for church records. Once I discovered that my father’s ancestral line was German Catholic, it was almost child’s play to follow the clues in the church baptismal and burial records. At this time, I want to acknowledge the invaluable help I received from my husband’s cousin who was the archivist at the St. Louis Archdiocese. She sent me marriage, baptismal, and burial records for my Weis line which had been my brick wall for years. Lastly, my maternal Swedish grandmother, Esther Östman Weed’s line was easy to follow, if not easily translated, because the Swedish Lutheran Church lists everything in their church records, including when they moved to another country.
Using Sunny Morton’s book, How to Find Your Family History in U.S. Church Records, can help to fill in your record gaps and open entirely new avenues of research. Church records can be a valuable aid to genealogical research and can even lead you backward to find ancestors you might have never found through any other documents. And, if you are lucky enough to descend from Quakers, you will enjoy the wealth of records that detail your ancestor’s daily lives. Let us know how church records helped to bring down one of your brick walls.
Happy searching!
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October 2024
It is always a pleasure to attend a presentation by our own Christine Cohen and September’s talk on naturalization and citizenship didn’t disappoint. Christine posed the following question: “Do we have all of our ancestors’ citizenship information?” Before we can answer this query, we need to understand that the United States naturalization process has a complicated history. To successfully find these records we need to familiarize ourselves with the changing citizenship requirements over time.
Naturalization by the Federal Government was established in 1789 in Article I, Section 8 of the United States Constitution. Within a year, the Uniform Rule of Naturalization stated that any free, white alien male with two years’ residency could apply to become a citizen at any court of record. Within three years the residency requirement increased to three years before submitting first papers and an additional five years before the filing of second papers. Over the next 170-plus years, the process took many twists and turns until finally settling into something that only vaguely resembles the original process.
Christine noted that during the early years of applying for citizenship, the requirements were very basic: reside in the United States, have good moral character, and swear allegiance in a court of record. Speaking of swearing allegiance, my great-grandfather, Jonas Ivar Östman who immigrated to America in June 1881 signed the following:
State of Minnesota, County of Ramsey, District Court, Second Judicial District
I, J. I. Ostman, do swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States of America, and that I do absolutely and entirely Renounce and Abjure forever, all Allegiance and Fidelity to every Foreign Power, Prince, Potentate, State or Sovereignty whatsoever: and particularly to the King of Norway & Sweden whose subject I was.
And further, that I never have borne any hereditary title, or been any of the degrees of Nobility of the country whereof I have been a subject, and that I have resided within the United States, for five years last past, and in this State for one year last past.
Subscribed and sworn to in open Court, this 14th day of April 1890 – J. I. Ostman
There are numerous records that could hold clues to finding out if your ancestors filed for naturalization. The Federal censuses of 1820, 1830, 1870, 1890, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940, and 1950 all include questions for foreign-born respondents about immigration and naturalization. Some state census records include questions also asking about immigration, naturalization, and residency in the state. Additionally, check military records, newspaper articles, voting records, and tax lists. Once you have narrowed down your search, check if you can get a digital copy of the declaration of intention or the actual naturalization document. What a treasure that would be.
Christine’s talk has encouraged me to find out how many of my foreign-born ancestors who arrived here in the 1800s applied for citizenship. So far, I have found that my German-born two times great-grandfathers, Anton Weis and Henry Doerges and my three times great-grandfather, Bernhard Laberman, all became citizens around 1870. My Irish two times great-grandfather, William Russell, immigrated to the United States from Canada in 1861 but waited to become a United States citizen until the early 1900s. Now I need to locate copies of their paperwork to add to my own genealogical treasure!
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September 2024
It has been a while since WAGS members participated in a field trip and this recent venture to the Orange County Family Search Center was both fun and a genealogical success. Without trying to sound like an advertising brochure, the FSC has amazing volunteer staff ready to help visitors get started or dig deeper into their family history. The center has about 24 large-screen desktop computers, free equipment to digitize videos, photos, slides, and 8mm film, and free thumb drives if you forget to bring yours.
Our group of merry researchers consisted of Brian Swanson, Marilyn McCarty, Cyndy Hartman, Gerhard Schaefer, Marisa Reyes, Barbara Gile, Christine Cohen, Trish Stumpf-Garcia and friend, Rebecca, Janice Zolnekoff, John Theilen, and me. We each came hoping to find answers to our genealogical questions about immigration, birth, marriage or death records, military participation, or family mysteries. From the smiles and happy chatter around the facility, I believe that the trip was a success.
Brian’s research focused on his maternal grandfather’s line who had immigrated from either Russia or Germany. He found that his ancestors had immigrated to the United States through Canada into North Dakota when his grandfather was a young child. Brian was delighted with all the new information that he found.
Christine found her Civil War ancestor, Samuel B. Owen, who was in Union Company H 146th Illinois Infantry and received his pension from the U.S. Sanitary Commission. Other new details included his wife and six children, his occupation as a day laborer, and the fact that he didn’t own any land.
Janice told me this was her first trip to a Family Search Center, and she was very impressed by the facility, how helpful and kind the staff were, and how welcoming and clean it was. She saved some draft registration and census forms to a thumb drive and added her third great-grandparents to her family tree on the Family Search website.
Barbara said that the field trip was a “lovely, cool way to spend a hot day in August.” This was her third trip to a FSC over the last fifteen years, and all the new upgrades and excellent help have motivated her to finish her grand- and great-grandchildren’s genealogical charts.
Trish found a page from a German Village Family Book that she had overlooked years ago when visiting an FSC. She also located the marriage entry for her ancestor from that village. Her friend, Rebecca, also made some wonderful finds.
Marisa felt that the field trip gave her the wonderful opportunity to learn more about computer research methods and credited the center volunteer with helping her to print out beautiful, full-color fan charts. She said that she learned so much and will be going back!
John said his main motivation for going to the FSC was to see what they had to offer. Secondly, he was focused on his great-grandfather and his three brothers who all fought in the Civil War for the Union. The helper showed him how to access Fold 3 and the results have encouraged him to plan another visit soon. He was very impressed with the Orange County facility.
As for me, I went hoping to find the immigration record for my Swedish great-grandmother and found a likely lead about an Inga Svensdotter who sailed in 1880 from Malmö to the United States. I also found the birth, marriage, and death records for my German fourth and fifth great-grandparents and their children. I was so focused on my research that the next thing I knew, it was 4 p.m. and we had to finish and exit the facility. I want to return, soon!
The OCFSC computers offer free access to Ancestry, MyHeritage, Newspaper Archives, American Ancestors, British Newspaper Archive, Find My Past, Fold 3, Geneanet, Irish Ancestors, The Genealogist and more. They are open Monday – Thursday 10 – 6, Friday and Saturday 10 – 4, and are closed on major holidays. My advice to you is to gather up all those pesky questions you’ve been unable to find answers to and get yourself down to the Orange County Family Search Center to spend a delightful day fixing those sticky problems in your family tree!
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August 2024
Dana Palmer’s wonderful presentation reminded me how far we have come and how good we genealogists have it today. Like many of my fellow genealogists, I began my ancestral search by quizzing my parents about family names and origins. Suffice it to say, these limited and tantalizing tidbits of knowledge left gaping holes that desperately needed to be filled. From my mom, I knew we were Swedish and English, my father’s surname was decidedly German, and their family stories – while entertaining – were not always accurate. I needed to find some official records to confirm what I had been told. Enter the LDS Libraries in Salt Lake and Los Angeles with their reference books, microfiche, and manually operated microfilm readers. Tedious, but it worked.
Fast forward several decades into the digital age and we now have access to many excellent avenues for researching our ancestral past right at our fingertips. Dana’s talk on Saturday about the resources available at FamilySearch.org took us on a whirlwind tour of the world’s largest free genealogy website with its new and impressive database and advanced search techniques – all the bells and whistles we never knew that we needed and all in one handy location!
One of the key points Dana made was to begin with broad searches and narrow our results as needed by using filters, lots and lots of filters. Just like it sounds, we are straining our results through finer and finer screens to achieve the best results. Don’t forget to try different search formats, such as name, location, or collection. Also, be forgiving of transcribers who misspelled our ancestor’s name and substitute wildcards – * and ? – when the alphabet isn’t actually being helpful. Even if our ancestor had an easy-to-spell name, we can expect to encounter spelling discrepancies. Just go with the flow.
From places to time periods, there is always something more to learn about where and when our ancestors lived. This is where the FamilySearch Wiki comes into to play by providing research advice and tips to help move our research forward. The Wiki allows us to search by keyword, place, topic, or collection, offers useful tools for understanding foreign languages, and best of all, has articles on how to use the FamilySearch website to its greatest advantage. Think of the Wiki as the Help Desk at our favorite big-box store. It’ll steer us in the right direction so we don’t wander up and down the aisles until we run out of patience. We’ve all been there.
To sum up, with the aid of Dana’s detailed handout, we’ll be able to make the most out of the FamilySearch.org website and maximize our efforts in finding those elusive ancestors. The next time you log on to FamilySearch.org, be sure to keep her outline handy, and bring it along when we travel to the Orange County Search Center in August. Let us know about your success with this valuable asset right at your fingertips. Happy searching!
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July 2024
 We documenters of family history started with microfilm, dove into dusty cabinets filled with crumbling documents, ventured into online census records, became computer genealogy savvy, and now we are wading – more like diving headfirst – into the scientific aspect of all things genealogy . . . DNA. I know that I am getting ahead of myself when starting a report with the final statement from our speaker, Beth Swartz, but it seemed important to reinforce her words, “DNA doesn’t lie!” Your DNA results not only speak to your origins, but they also link you to everyone you are related to, whether they are known to you or are a complete surprise.
Focusing on autosomal DNA (atDNA), Beth explained that we receive 50% from each of our parents but siblings may not receive the exact same segments because they are handed down randomly. Even identical twins can have slight variations in their DNA due to minor mutations while gestating. The farther back we venture on our family tree, the amount of DNA passed down reduces by half, until by the fourth or fifth generation we are receiving minuscule amounts.
Beth also explained what centimorgans (cM) are and how they contribute to locating unknown relationships or confirming known ones. Basically, the higher the number of centimorgans the closer the relationship. We can use our cM results as a way to guide our genealogical research and find new links in our family tree and build our DNA communities.
Using Ancestry.com as her focus, Beth walked us through the different aspects of atDNA findings, including Ethnicity Estimates, DNA Communities, ThruLines, and the various types of trees available: public, private, private and unsearchable, and unlinked. One of the key points she made was that the results you receive are potential ancestors, because the information is based on other people’s research, not just your own. Think of these potential ancestors as a starting point or guide; you still need to prove your findings with detective work. As for ethnicity estimates – or origins – the keyword is estimates, and these can and will change over time as more and more people send in DNA samples and expand the database.
DNA technology is a powerful tool that can enhance our understanding of what it means to be related. You can use it to solve family mysteries, expand your knowledge of where your people came from, look for new avenues to search, and discover new branches of your family tree. Take advantage of the DNA sales, test and upload your results between several websites, and invite your family members to participate, because you can never have too much data!
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June 2024
 Hal Bookbinder, our May speaker, addressed an area of growing concern to all of us who rely on our computers and other electronic devices for genealogy research, family finances, data storage, online purchasing, and our virtual social presence. The focus of his presentation was aimed at how we can protect ourselves from becoming a victim of a cybercrime such as phishing and cyber-hacking. He discussed various ways for us to minimize the risk of becoming vulnerable to the ever-increasing number of bad actors on the internet.
Summarizing his advice boils down to a few important items:
- Back up your computer – external hard drive, cloud storage, thumb drive, second computer.
- Independently verify suspicious contacts – contact individuals or companies directly.
- Create strong and varied passwords – consider using a password manager.
- Monitor statements, bills, and credit card reports – take action if necessary.
- Use anti-virus software on your devices – update as needed to counteract new scams.
- Limit what you share on social media – don’t make it easy for scammers to find you.
Prior to writing this article, I looked up the definition of artificial intelligence, and here is what I found: AI is the theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and translation between languages. In other words, it is the science of making machines that can think like humans but can process large amounts of data far beyond the capacity of normal human beings. Like it or not, we live in the age of robotics and super computers, and we need to be aware that with this technology come moral and ethical implications that we need to be aware of or we may find ourselves at a distinct disadvantage.
Hal warned us that the increasing sophistication of today’s cybercriminals will only get worse as artificial intelligence becomes more and more refined, thus making it even more difficult for the average individual to protect themselves. However, do not despair, Hal has given us tools to help protect ourselves and our personal data. His directives for safe computing in the age of AI can give even the most novice computer user a way to protect the wealth of their genealogical research, personal income, and peace of mind.
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May 2024
 If you’ve ever traveled to a family reunion, you know the lure to acquaint yourself with your deeper roots by visiting various family haunts, homesteads, and – if you are like me – graveyards. Listening to Lisa Vogele’s presentation on heritage travel sparked both happy memories and a few regrets about two of my own genealogical and sightseeing vacations.
My first heritage trip was a small group tour to Ireland with my husband in August 2019. It was organized by EF Go Ahead Tours in conjunction with Ancestry.com giving us a two-pronged experience – learning about the history of the Emerald Isle and learning more about and experiencing the lives of our ancestors. The trip was well organized, our fellow travelers were friendly, and our Ancestry guide was knowledgeable and encouraging. Ireland and the people were lovely. However, because I didn’t prepare enough beforehand I missed an opportunity to visit my third-great-grandmother’s small community in Cork. This is where Lisa’s genealogy research and travel services would have been very valuable.
Lisa’s “Roadmap for Traveling in Your Ancestors’ Footsteps” presents a valuable outline for planning a heritage trip. Following her key points will almost certainly guarantee a successful and rewarding genealogical adventure:
- Start as early as possible when deciding to travel. Research from home as much as possible.
- Get your genealogical “ducks” in a row. Is your research up to date? Get help if needed.
- Travel logistics are important. Is your passport up to date? Will you need a local guide?
- Organize your itinerary, but allow time for unexpected discoveries and surprises.
- Bring pedigree charts, photos, contact information, and a positive attitude.
My second heritage trip in June 2023 began with a vacation in Norway before venturing to Sweden, and was much more successful. I had been in contact with my third cousin, Curt Sundqvist, in northeast Västernorrland, Sweden before embarking on our trip. We had already shared our genealogy research through Ancestry.com written back and forth. With Curt’s advice and chauffeuring skills, we were able to visit the original family homestead established in the 1600s and the church where our common second-great-grandparents were married. This trip was a dream come true for me. My mother had always been so proud of her Swedish heritage and instilled the same in me. I know she would have loved to hear about everything we learned.
Whether you travel around the world or across the country to experience the lives of your ancestors, Lisa emphasized that careful, organized planning is essential for a successful heritage trip. Heritage travel reminds us that we carry within us the legacy of our ancestors. Discovering our deep roots can be both enriching and a reward for years of diligent research. By planning in advance, the journey is sure to be a memorable adventure.
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April 2024
 Back in September 2010, I began writing a collection of stories about my six ancestors who volunteered to fight for the Union during the Civil War. Three were German-born immigrants, one was a Quaker, one was a fourth-generation American, and one was a fifth-generation American. They represented New York, Kansas, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, and Pennsylvania. Most of my information about these men was found on Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.org, Fold3.com, the Soldiers and Sailors Database on the National Park Service website, and two packets of information from the National Archives and Records Administration. Obviously, I was very interested in Brian Rhinehart’s talk on I Have a Civil War Ancestor . . . Now What?
I have to admit, like all genealogists, once I found these ancestors I wanted to know as much as possible about every aspect of their lives, and that included their military involvement. Hearing Brian describe the resources available from the National Archives, made me realize that I have only scratched the surface when it comes to completely researching my great- and multi-great-grandfathers. Take Theodore Dennis Weed, my maternal great-grandfather who enlisted at the age of twenty in the New York 44th Volunteer Infantry as a Private in Company I. He received a disability discharge for wounds received in battle at Fort Monroe, Virginia in July 1862. To complete my research, I need to access his carded medical records for more details about his hospitalization and recovery.
Another ancestor I want to investigate further is my paternal third great-grandfather, Reinhold Karl “Charles” Anacker from Eisenach, Thuringia, Germany who enlisted to defend his new homeland at the age of thirty-three. Charles was a saloon keeper in Atchison, Kansas when he joined Company F as a Private in the Kansas 1st Volunteer Infantry, leaving behind a wife and four- and one-year old sons. Charles was reported wounded in battle at Wilson’s Creek, Missouri on August 10, 1861. He was later sent to hospital where he contracted typhoid and died February 10, 1865. Most of the information I have comes from Caroline Anacker’s application for a minor’s pension and the documentation she had to provide to prove their marriage. Charles’s compiled military service and carded medical records may furnish a more complete picture about his time in service.
In addition to ordering the pension, military, and medical records for my remaining four ancestors, I need to expand my search into other possible sources of information. Brian suggested searching for family bible records and letters home from the war. To this I would like to add those wonderful old county histories, the 1890 Veterans Schedule, printed company histories, Civil War history books, Find A Grave, and GAR posts for clues to expand your knowledge. To paraphrase Brian, there is a mountain of information out there about our Civil War ancestors, you just need to begin searching.
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March 2024
 In late 2022, I wrote a story for the WAGS Life Story Writing Group titled “Moving West – The Migration Patterns of My Ancestors.” Little did I realize that my research to trace the movements of my ancestors would dovetail nicely with Mary Anne Vincent’s topic: “Forget GPS – You Need Maps.” In the case of my recent maternal Swedish and paternal German immigrant families, I was able to use ships’ records, census and tax documents, and marriage records to follow their movements once they reached American shores in the mid-to-late 1800s. It was a different story with my maternal and paternal ancestors who arrived in the mid-1600s and early 1700s.
After Mary Anne’s talk, I decided to look for land records and accompanying maps for two of my early English ancestors. One of them settled in Hartford, Connecticut in 1639. The other came to Surry, North Carolina in 1797.
Joseph Easton, my maternal ninth great-grandfather, was one of the founders of Hartford. I found his information and a fabulous copy of a 1640 hand-drawn map on the website of the Society of the Descendants of the Founders of Hartford. This map detailed the parcels of land he purchased, and also included the parcels owned by another four of my early ancestors: Zachariah Field, John Haynes, Thomas Richards, and John Skinner.
Samuel Greenwood was my paternal sixth great-grandfather and second great-grandson of John Greenwoode, my original immigrant who arrived in the Virginia Colony in 1635. I searched Ancestry.com for land records and the Library of Congress for a map detailing the location of his 200 acre purchase. Samuel applied for the purchase on May 10, 1797 and the survey was completed on November 11, 1799. According to the document, the survey was accomplished using a “scale of 20 chains” to measure the various sides of the tract of land that bordered Mitchels River on the east near the confluence of the Yadkin River. Once I had that information, I was able to locate a topographical map from 1794 to pinpoint the Greenwood tract. I can only assume that the large Yadkin River made the location of his land desirable for transporting goods to and from other communities along the river.
Now that my curiosity has been whetted, I plan to look for more records of land purchases and accompanying maps to fill in the history of my brave ancestors that set down roots in various locations in America. I am particularly interested in finding a Sanborn Fire Insurance Map for William R. Glover, my paternal second great-grandfather. He was a blacksmith and wheelwright who set up his shop in Los Angeles in 1901. I have a black and white photograph of him standing in front of his business located at 121 E. Lake Street. I have a feeling that I’ll be spending many more hours on my computer over the next several months.
Have you found any maps to augment your ancestors’ migration across America?
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